Critics hate Batman vs Superman. Audiences polled rate it on the same level as Green Lantern and Catwoman. The only box office record set by the film is greatest drop off of a superhero movie in the opening weekend…
Still, people defend it. From what I’ve seen those that defend it most fervently refer to themselves as DC fans, and they generally are, but I get the feeling that a lot of the people defending the film aren’t doing it because they honestly believe that it’s a good film and does justice to the characters. I get the feeling that they’re defending it so fervently as a reaction to the hate it’s been rightly getting because it’s DC. I get the feeling that they’re defending its flaws, plot-holes, lack of character and poor characterizations not because they deserve to be defended, but because it’s the first time that some of their favorite characters have appeared on film together or at all. More power to them.
At the same time that some people are defending BvS they’re responding to the hate that it’s getting by lashing out at Marvel and their cinematic universe because it’s been praised, and they’re the competition. Personally I prefer the MCU movies, but I wouldn’t say that I do so because they’re Marvel. I prefer them because they’re legitimately good and either capture the spirit of the characters as I’ve known them, or introduce me to new characters I never gave a second thought to. I have yet to get that with DC, and recently the characters have been at such odds with who they are supposed to be that it’s borderline infuriating.
I have never been one to read comics, but I do still look into the stories and characters that intrigue me. I prefer Marvel’s movies and many of their characters now, but I grew up watching Batman, Superman, Justice League, etc. and loved them then and now. That’s why I hate Batman vs Superman. Marvel has proven time and again that you can make a successful superhero movie that stands on its own outside of the comics, that still maintains the spirit and relative accuracy of the comics. DC of late seems to go out of their way to go against the spirit of their most beloved characters in an attempt to make a good movie, and then still turns out a product that is at best divisive and at worst panned by the majority who see it.
Like what you like for the reasons that you like it. If you legitimately like something that many others openly dislike and dissect with good reason, good on you, everyone has something of the sort. Please though, don’t defend something that is blatantly bad for the sake of defending it. If you’re defending something in an uphill battle, at the very least make your points clear and support them. Lastly, respect others’ opinions when they’re voiced. Even if you don’t agree, let them get their say out and support it as much as they can. If you can tear their argument apart then do if you feel like you must, but know that it may very well only cement their opinion all the more. It happens to everyone.